Travel India's desert state in style. Using exclusive heritage hotels we delve into the history of the many forts and palaces the region has to offer. At every turn Rajasthan bombards the senses - one minute it's full speed ahead as we take a jeep safari through desert countryside, the next you'll seek out serenity in the holy town of Pushkar. This is the perfect recipe for a first time visitor to India: exotic ingredients, gently combined with a pinch of luxury.

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Delhi; half-day city tour.

For those who are on the flight inclusive package we land in Delhi in the morning and transfer to the hotel where we will meet the other members of the group. In the afternoon we visit the walled city of Old Delhi; crowded, full of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. We visit Jama Mosque - built in 17th century and the largest mosque in India, Chandni Chowk - the typical Indian market always abuzz with activities, and Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.See more images and videos

2Day 2Free morning; half-day sightseeing.

The morning is free to relax and explore by yourself. During the afternoon you will see some of the sites of New Delhi. We drive past the Presidential Palace, Secretariat Buildings and down the impressive Rajpath to India Gate. We visit the Birla (Laxmi Narayan) Temple and the Qutub Minar which is 72 metres high. We also see Delhi's most curious antique, the un-corroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD.See more images and videos

3Day 3Drive to Agra.

Today we drive to Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal. In the afternoon we check in to our hotel in Agra and the rest of the day is free to relax and discover the city.See more images and videos

4Day 4Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal and then Agra Fort; afternoon free.

Today we will rise early to visit the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal at sunrise. Built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, the Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor. The white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun during the day and is matched by rich interior detail. Within striking distance is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, third of the Moghul Emperors, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It is here that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb.

We leave Agra and visit Fatehpur Sikri, emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Muslim holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold ten thousand worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience are all made of decorative red sandstone. This magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today - in perfect condition. We then drive on to Jaipur - another very full but rewarding day.See more images and videos

6Day 6Full days sightseeing including Amber Fort and City Palace.

Built in the late 18th century, it is a planned city of broad avenues built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. In the centre is the City Palace. Formerly the residence of the Maharaja it is now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. A few miles from the main city is the splendid Amber Fort, rising above a lake where elephants bathe. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leatherwear etc. It will be difficult to leave a workshop without buying something!See more images and videos

7Day 7To the holy city of Pushkar; visit Brahma temple and Aarti ceremony on the ghats.

Today we drive to the holy city of Pushkar, a sacred town for the Hindus well-known for its annual camel fair. In the centre of town is holy Pushkar lake surrounded by a number of temples including the famous Bramha temple - said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the waters of Pushkar lake and worship at Bramha temple ensure salvation. Late afternoon walk through Pushkar's lanes to see the local life and visit the Brahma temple. The evening culminates with an aarti ceremony on the ghats of the Pushkar lake.
Pushkar Festival Departure: The itinerary for the Pushkar Festival departure is exactly the same as the standard trip. However, we try and maximise time in Pushkar in order that there is plenty of time to enjoy the camel fair - one of the largest in the world, and the various events taking place. We will depart early from Jaipur, in order to arrive in Pushkar as early as possible, and we will depart for Khimsar at a time agreeable for the group. Your group leader will brief you on all the options available to you.See more images and videos

8Day 8Visit local school; drive to Khimsar in the Thar desert.

In the morning we visit a government-run primary school to understand the education system in rural areas of the country. The school is attended by children from nearby villages. Later on we drive on to Khimsar and stay at the historic Khimsar Fort.See more images and videos

9Day 9Early morning jeep safari; afternoon free to explore Khimsar.

Early morning jeep safari to the surrounding villages and to Black Buck reserve. We will visit the settlements of Gujars (shepherds) and Kalbelia (snake charmers) communities and experience the traditional, rural Rajasthani lifestyle, which still lays emphasis on harmony, conservation and complete utilization of natural resources. Age-old traditions are still practiced. The wildlife sanctuary is home to the beautiful but endangered Black Buck and some colourful birds. The afternoon is free to explore and see village life.See more images and videos

Morning drive to Jodhpur visiting the famous Mandore gardens en route. Jodhpur is a bustling desert city and the second largest in Rajasthan after Jaipur. Founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the leader of the Rathore clan, the city's gentle atmosphere belies a stormy yet glorious past. 393 feet above the flat surrounding plains soars a bold bluff on which was built the massive Meherangarh (Majestic) Fort. In the old city's maze are several palaces, havelis and temples. Visit the Sardar Bazar with its Clock Tower. Down the road from the Fort see Jaswant Thada, the blinding white marble cenotaph (chhatri) of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.See more images and videos

12Day 12Take a train ride through rural Rajasthan with local villagers; late afternoon birdwatching walk.

Enjoy a train ride through the rural countryside of Rajasthan. Experience travelling with the local villagers in non-air-conditioned coaches on wooden berths: some coaches are from the 1930s. Return to the hotel by road. In the afternoon enjoy a bird watching tour to the nearby lakes to see a variety of local and some migratory birds.

Today we drive to Udaipur, the city of lakes. In the late afternoon enjoy a beautiful sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, 4km long and 3km wide, surrounded by hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and embankments (Boat ride is subject to the water level in the lake).See more images and videos

14Day 14Morning sightseeing including the City Palace; afternoon free.

Udaipur is one of the most charming cities of Rajasthan, nestled like a gem in a valley surrounded by the green Aravalli hills, and reflected smooth and white in the clear blue of Lake Pichola. Old dwellings, temples and palaces speak of an aristocratic past. Visit the City Palace, once the home of Mewar's rulers with its flawlessly integrated palaces overlooking the clear blue waters of Lake Pichola. Visit Sahelion-ki-bari - scene of royal parties. Drive around Fateh Sagar Lake. The afternoon is free to enjoy the city with possibilities of a stroll in the colourful local market.

Those on the flight inclusive package will depart this morning for the daytime flight back to London - usually via Mumbai or Delhi; those on land-only arrangements will leave us after check-out at the hotel.See more images and videos

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group guided holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are healthy, enjoy the outdoors and want a relaxing trip. No experience is required.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request)

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotels

During your trip to Rajasthan you will spend 14 nights in a range of comfortable hotels ranging from modern properties, such as the Jaypee Palace Hotel in Agra, to heritage forts and palaces bursting with character, such as the Deogarh Mahal Hotel. Many of the properties have pools and most have excellent restaurants and facilities.

Single supplements are available on request from £550 (£590 from October 2015).

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
Visas are required if you are British and for most other nationalities. To apply for the Indian visa yourself you will need to go through the Indian High Commission's VF service (http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk) and visit one of their centres in person or use a visa agency, such as Travcour, to do visit for you. The current visa fee for British passport holders is GBP82 (plus a service charge of GBP7.44). For UK residents full details of the visa process will be provided with your booking confirmation.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Some of our India trips spend time at altitude. In regions over approx. 2000m, there is low to no risk of mosquito-borne diseases. For trips going to altitudes of over 3000m there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please see the TRIP NOTES for further information. Holiday style

This holiday is designed so that you can see some of the best parts of Northern India. There is a lot to see in the time you are there, but everything is scheduled so that it doesn't feel too rushed. You should come armed for an experience: India can be hard work, and the heat and the bustle of some of the cities can be a little overwhelming. That said, there are places where you can find peace, and there are few places in the world to match India in providing you with great stories and memories to last a lifetime. This trip is designed as a more comfortable itinerary and the accommodation is of a high standard.

Eating & drinking

Breakfast is included throughout the trip except on Day 1. In most of the towns there is a good choice of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western style food. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to travel to. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approx. GBP4 (approx. . USD6.4). Mineral water is widely available. Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow.
India is famous for its food and there is ample chance to try various curries such as the familiar tandoori, Biriyani and Rogan Josh. But there are other specialities and Western dishes available too. In addition there are wonderful desserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

During October/November and February/March/April the days are normally warm to hot and nights cool or mild. Humidity is very low and little or no rain can be expected. Evenings in Delhi can be surprisingly cool. It gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings in December and January and warm clothes are essential. Fog is also a real possibility during this period. Please note that night time temperatures in Delhi can be very cold and only a little above freezing in December and January.

Reviews & community

For a long time we had wanted to visit India but most people gave us the impression that it's more endurance than holiday. However on a recent Exodus Jordan trip our fellow travellers convinced us to go as many of them had been. We decided to do this premium trip as our first foray into India. We don't regret it one bit. What a great country and lovely people. Ajay our guide was excellent and a real gem. India is such an interesting country, and culturally very diverse but everyone seems to get on. Its also a big country so expect some long bus rides, unavoidable no matter what trip you do if you want to see the sights.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Visiting the Taj Mahal is a particular highlight. They open it up at sunrise so dont expect to see it with the light coming up from darkness. No matter it was fab anyway. Try and get 2 hours to explore.
Visiting the Sikh temple in Delhi was a favorite with us.
Any chance we had to meet the locals, i.e. the school visit, train ride etc. So friendly, open and welcoming.
Dinner by the lake in Udaipur. Lovely.

What did you think of your group leader?

Ajay is a fantastic leader. I could go on and on singing his praises. A really nice guy, very committed to the groups welfare and enjoyment, funny, fun, generous with his time, respectful of all people we interacted with along the way, very organised, calm in a crisis. Just who you want leading a trip.
If we went to India again we would want Ajay as our leader.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be ready to be asked to have your photo taken with local Indians. They wanted our picture just as much as we wanted theirs!
The internal flight luggage allowance was only 15kgs which is a problem as its at the end of the trip and you may have bought things (rugs, scarves, carved elephants, Taj Mahal snowdomes! :)) . So keep this in mind. The trip notes said it was 20kgs. We got round the problem but beware.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If want to see Rajasthan in relative luxury do this trip. There is a lot of bus riding but there are good gaps between longer rides. Plus India is so entertaining from the window it goes quickly.
Our expenses for eating and drink were very low. Hotel food was a bit more pricey but the restaurants Ajay took us to were very good and inexpensive.
We didn't get ill at all! We did use a lot if hand gel.

Great trip in a beautiful country. We were able to see a country that is changing at an incredible rate, though it still retains the essence of mystique that is India.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

This is difficult. There are so many memories that we will retain forever. The Taj Mahal is what you expect and takes your breath away. Fatehpur Sikri was also fantastic and was my personal favourite, though we will never forget the auto rickshaw driver who thought he was James Bond in Udaipur. The visit to a local school was another highlight that we both found emotional. We knew all about the cows that would be wandering around but did not expect so many, all over the roads and even on the train lines.

What did you think of your group leader?

I had read reviews mentioning our leader Balvinder Singh before we left for the trip and when he introduced himself I knew we were going to get a great group leader. He is everything that people have said. He is passionate, enthusiastic and has a great love for his country and its people. Every morning he had story-time relating his own personal experiences, interesting snippets about India and its culture and the individual places we were visiting that day. I am sure we would have enjoyed the trip whoever the leader was but Bali added that little extra that made the trip especially enjoyable.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The trip is described as leisurely but there are some very long drives. This does give you a chance to take in the scenery and the passing towns and villages which are full of colour and vibrancy. One highlight was the hotels. These are of a very good standard from modern to historically interesting.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

A very enjoyable trip with a great leader who was excellent at introducing us to the variety of life in India .

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

So many things were great including the Taj Mahal (especially at sunset), the cycle-rickshaw ride and train ride. We also were in India for the Holi festival and this was great fun. A couple of the hotels were fabulous, Khimsar Fort and Deogarh Palace (where we met the queen mum !)

What did you think of your group leader?

Bali is a great leader, he is passionate about his country and looks after his guests as though they are VIP's. He has an excellent sense of humour and loves to add little surprises along the way, such as the cycle rickshaw ride. He talks about his own experiences to help explain the culture in India and manages without becoming a bore. Bali was vital in making our trip to India as enjoyable as it was. He planned every little thing in advance even a train at a level crossing !! He planned the sightseeing in such a way to avoid the busy times and crowds, this certainly made the visits more enjoyable.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Some long drives are involved but these are part of the trip and there is never a dull moment when looking out the window. The hotels are very comfortable and the Heritage hotels are lovely and quirky and all individual . You don't need loads of clothes as you can buy some more while there. Pushkar was very cheap for clothes. The baggage allowance for the internal flight has changed to 15kg each, but we could leave a case on the bus and it arrived back on the last evening. Be prepared to be photographed by the locals as much as you want to take photos of them. If you like photography then India will not disappoint, but it can be frustrating as you will not get every shot you would like.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

A fantastic way to see some great sites in India and stay in luxury at some very nice hotels. The weather in March was ideal, nice and warm in the day and not too cold in the evenings.

Tim was lucky enough to have his first travels sponsored by the taxpayer when his year of 'research' in Peru as part of his Latin American Studies degree turned into 12 months travelling the length of South America before returning home with a shoddy dissertation, a great suntan and a real passion for seeing the world! He now manages Exodus trips to Peru and Argentina (as well as the Picos de Europa and Japan) and still loves Latin America as much as he did after the first visit.

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

Will the hotels have towels?

The hotels you stay at will all be good quality, with en suite facilities. As such, towels are usually provided but it's always a good idea to pack a small emergency one in the end of your bag as well, just in case. You may have an odd night where the standard is slightly lower but this will usually be due to where you are and, as such, limited by what is available.

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

Can you recommend a good restuarant in Delhi?

A popular restaurant situated in Old Delhi on the ground floor of Hotel Broadway is the Chor Bizarre Restaurant. It has good selection of North Indian and Kashmiri cuisine. The hotel also regularly has Indian Cultural programme in the evenings that you are recommended to check with the hotel/restaurant beforehand for reservations should you want to watch it. Also being a popular restaurant it is advisable that you make an advance table booking to avoid disappointment.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

Can I catch a Bollywood movie?!

Fancy a night out in India just like the locals? Head to a Bollywood movie and join the local in an evening packed with entertainment. The Bollywood masala movies are a mixture of dance, drama and musical with a break in between as most of these are lengthy 3 hours movies. This gives you the option to leave the theatre should you want to do that! The songs and dances make it like a 60’s musical where you could have the whole locals singing and dancing to the tune. Some movies become hits only because of these. Movie theatres that you may want to visit are; Raj Mandir in Jaipur, Odeon in Canaught Place, New Delhi, Filmistan, Karol Bagh in New Delhi - but all cities have theatres. A word of warning- try to avoid the rush when entering and exiting the theatre and the crowded area and keep valuables with close to you zipped at all times and enjoy the show.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

Any good shopping tips for India?

Where do you start?! Half the joy of shopping in India is the sheer scale of what's on offer, from upscale boutiques in New Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta to the crowded and sweaty markets of pretty much any town or village you come to. Handicrafts, art, leather goods, spices, hand carved statues, silk, the list goes on - all the way to cheap knock offs of western brands!

Remember, outside of the proper shops, haggling is the key but don't waste your time trying to split the difference over a few pence - the best result is when everyone comes away happy!

Charlotte Taylor - India Operations

What is the best way to take money to India?

Any time I go out, I normally just take sterling cash which, as long as you excercise the normal degree of common sense you would at home, is safe and easy. The India rupee is a closed currency, meaning you can only get it upon arrival in the country. There are exchange facilities at all arrival airports, and ATMs are available pretty much everywhere as well in case you need to top up along the way.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

What kind of food should I expect around the Indian subcontinent?

There is a real mix available and you won't be disappointed! The local cuisine is predominantly vegetarian, with lots of rice. You can enjoy everything from traditional spicy curries to stalls selling tasty sweets and deserts and even right the way to western style grub, if it all gets a bit too much. Vegetarians and 'non-spicy' food people are easily catered for, and the leader will make sure a wide range of dishes are ordered for each meal.

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

Do you have any advice about malaria and rabies?

Unfortunately we are not qualified to answer all your questions in regards to travel health, so we strongly recommend you contact your GP or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information.

Nomad Travel Clinics are experts in preparing people for travel, providing advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and staying healthy whilst overseas. We have arranged a special 10% discount for Exodus passengers on any vaccinations that you may require! Take along your Nomad discount card, sent with your confirmation pack, or call Exodus for your special discount code.Visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/exodus for further information.

I have some free time in Delhi - what should I see?

A definite place to visit when you have an extra day in Delhi is a trip to the new Akshardham Temple. Situated on the outskirts of New Delhi in the embankment of River Yamuna, this sprawling Swaminarayan Akshardham spreads over 100 acres of land and is renowned for its carved pillars, water fountains and 20,000 statues. Made from white marble and pink stone this new temple was only completed in 2005 which makes it less well known by Western tourists or the guide books. A visit to the temple is the perfect way to explore the amazing world of Indian culture and get a unique view of the Hindu religion. Other ‘must see’ places are the Red Fort, Humayum’s Tomb (a forerunner to the Taj Mahal), Qutab Minar, Tuqulaquabad, Purana Quila.The National Museum is very interesting as is the Gandhi Smriti, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

- Customer Operations

I've heard the 'Delhi Belly' rumours in India -will this be a problem?

India has delicious food to cater for all preferences but, like anywhere in the world, hygiene is important. Keeping your hands well washed before eating, staying as hydrated as possible and sticking to bottled water is the best protection against an upset tum. Otherwise, mashed potato is apparently a good cure!

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Is it possible to get visas upon arrival?

No. Indian visas must be pre-arranged in advance. Check the Indian embassy website for details.

Land of the Tiger articles

Caroline Northcott, one of our clients, travelled on this trip a few years ago. Please read her inspirational article to get a personal viewpoint of the holiday.

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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